Indicator for volume ventilator apparatus

ABSTRACT

A panel display for instantaneously indicating the interrelationship of flow rate, frequency, inspiration to expiration ratio, tidal volume and minute volume of a breathing apparatus.

United States Patent 1 Myers Oct. 30, 1973 INDICATOR FOR VOLUME VENTILATOR [56] References Cited APPARATUS UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: William P. Myers, Davenport, Iowa 3,559,638 2/1971 Potter 128/208 2,162,242 6/1937 Branower 128/1418 [73] Assignee: The Bendix Corporation, South 1 Bend Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves [22] Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky pp No 209 674 Attorney-Leo ll. McCormick, Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 128/1453 128/203 137/ A panel display for instantaneously indicating the inter-relationship of flow rate, frequency, inspiration to E expiration ratio, tidal volume and minute volume of a ie are breathing apparatus.

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ATTORNEY INDICATOR FOR VOLUME VENTILATOR APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In normal healthy people, breathing is involuntarily controlled by a portion of the central nervous system. If disease or injury damages the nervous system, spontaneous breathing may be disrupted. In this event, a person s life may be fully dependent on artificial ventilation of the lungs to sustain a physiological oxygen level in the blood. This artificial ventilation can be achieved through a volume ventilation device which alternately expands and contracts the lungs with a positive pressure. It therefore becomes necessary to have reliable volumetric measurements during a cycle, referred to as tidal volume, to determine if a sufficient amount of breathable fluid is supplied to the lungs. In constant flow rate ventilators, this tidal volume measurement is directly dependent upon the flow rate of the breathable fluid and the respiratory frequency and the ratio of time period for inhalation to exhalation. The independence of these parameters is illustrated by the following equations:

V minute volume (quantity of breathable fluid delivered in a minute, i.e., Liters/minute) V tidal volume (quantity of breathable fluid delivered in a cycle, i.e., mil liters/cycle) f respiratory frequency (cycles/minute) V, inspiratory flow rate (Liters/minute) I/E inspiratory time period/expiratory time period Each of the above parameters is individually controlled and any three can be set in a desired operating condition. If three of these parameters in equations (1) and (2) are known, the other two can be calculated. In the past, the use of monographs, tables and mental approximation often times resulted in errors and large time delay at a period of time when the patient most needs capacity breathing to replace CO from his circulatory system with oxygen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have devised an apparatus with indicator means for displaying inter-dependence of each of the parameters of the supply of breathable fluid dispensed to an individual.

In my device I have concentric first and second dial means retained on a shaft in a housing. The first and second dial means have frequency, flow rate, tidal volume and minute volume operating parameter designations thereon. Inhalation to exhalation proportioning means connected to a sensor has a reference pointer overlying the tidal and minute volume designations. A panel connected to the housing covers the first and second dial means. The panel has apertures appropriately located to display operating designations on the first and second dial means. Valve means controlling the fluid flow from a source to a patient is linked to the first and second dial means. The corresponding fluid flow through the valve means is displayed through the apertures in the panel. Frequency control means connected to a timing tank is linked to the first and second dial means causing one to rotate while the other remains stationary causing the corresponding flow rate, tidal volume and frequency to be established and instantaneously displayed in the apertures in the panel.

The tidal volume required by each individual will vary since each person has a different volumetric lung capacity and requirements. A newly born infant has a volumetric capacity about one-thirtieth an adult. Aware of the different lung capacities capable of being expanded, the operator may select varying volumes by our ventilator apparatus and have an instantaneous readout of the other breathing parameters displayed on a panel.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide means for interconnecting the operating parameters of a volume ventilator to compute and display these parameters on a readout panel.

It is another object of this invention to provide the means whereby an operator can anticipate the effects of a control change of a volume ventilator.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a volume ventilator with means wherein the readings representing the operating parameters are logarithmically represented to provide high resolution throughout the operating range of the volume ventilator.

These and other objects will become apparent to those who read this specification and view the drawlngs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the readout panel of a volume ventilator apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view substantially taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1 showing the inter-relationship of the operating parameters of the volume ventilator.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2 showing the gear train for rotating dials in the readout panel.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing a selector for a cycle proportioning sensor in the volume ventilator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The readout panel 10, shown in FIG. 1, for a volume ventilator apparatus 12, shown in FIG. 2, can instantaneously visually indicate to an operator the parameters of a positive pressure breathing fluid supplied to a recipient.

The ventilator apparatus 12 consists of a housing 14 with a centrally positioned shaft or axle 16 located between first and second bearing walls 18 and 20, respectively. The first and second bearing walls 18 and 20 and the housing 14 form a transfer chamber 26. A first dial 22 located between the readout panel 10 and bearing wall 18 has a sleeve 24 which surrounds shaft 16 and extends through the bearing wall 18 into the transfer chamber 26. The first dial 22 has a logarithmic scale 36 representative of tidal volume concentrically located adjacent the outer periphery 38.

A second dial 28 concentrically located with respect to the first dial 22 is fixed to one end 30 of the shaft 16.

The second dial 28 has a plurality of logarithmic scales 40, 42 and 44 concentrically positioned about its central axis 46. The first logarithmic scale is representative of the volume in liters of the breathable fluid dispensed during a set period of time, usually one minute. The second logarithmic scale 42 is representative of the frequency with which the tidal volume is dispensed during a set period of time, usually designated as cycles per minute. The third logarithmic scale 44 is representative of the flow rate at which the tidal volume is dispensed designated as liter per minute.

A first reference pointer 32 is secured to the first dial 22 and extends through a slot 34 in the second dial 28. The first reference pointer 32 overlies the second logarithmic scale 42 to indicate the operating frequency.

The readout panel 10 which covers the first and second dials 22 and 28 has a first arcuate aperture 48 to permit an operator to see the position of the first reference pointer with respect to the second logarithmic scale 42. A second arcuate aperture 50 in the readout panel 10 uncovers the third logarithmic scale 44 while a second reference pointer 52 indicates the associated flow rate with the second dial 28 in that position. A third arcuate aperture 54 permits the display of the first logarithmic scale 40 and a fourth arcuate aperture 56 uncovers the logarithmic scale 36 on the first dial 22. A fifth arcuate aperture 58 in the readout panel 10 has a plurality of notches 60. Each of the notches 60 represents a ratio of the inspiration to expiration time period in a breathing cycle.

Breathing cycle proportioning means 62 has a yoke 64 with a first leg 66 adjacent bearing wall 18 and a second leg 68 adjacent bearing wall 20. The first leg 66 has a forked end 70 which rests on sleeve 24. The second leg 68 has an axial bore 72 which surrounds the other end 74 of shaft 16. End cap 76 is secured to the other end 74 to retain leg 68 on shaft 16. Leg 68 has a fanshaped end 78, see FIG. 4, with a plurality of sensor activating elements 80 corresponding to notches 60 on the readout panel 10.

Each of the sensor activating elements 80 consists of an adjustable means 82 having a spherical end 86. The adjustable means 82 in each of the sensor activating elements 80 depresses the head of sensor 92 with a varying force. The inhalation to exhalation (usually referred to as l/E) sensor 92 in return transmits an operational signal to the pneumatic logic circuit control 94.

A positioning member 96 is attached to the yoke 64 and extends through the fifth arcuate aperture 58 in the readout panel 10. The positioning member 96 has a knob 98 with a detent 100 which holds the proportioning means 62 in a set position by being engaged with notches 60.

Pointer means 102 carried by the positioning member 96 extends past the third and fourth arcuate apertures 54 and 56 to provide the third reference point 103 for the first logarithmic scale 40 on the second dial 28 and a fourth reference point 105 for the logarithmic scale 36 on the first dial 22.

The information presented in the readout panel 10 is controlled by flow control means 104 and cycle control means 106. A change in either the flow control means 104 or the cycle control means 106 will cause a corresponding change in the first and second dials 22 and 28 as visually indicated in the readout panel 10.

The flow control means 104 consists of a valve body 107 having a control chamber 116 with an inlet port 110 connected to a delivery valve 108 and an outlet port 112 connected to a conduit 114 in communication with a recipient. Valve stem means 118 extends through the readout panel, the bearing wall 18 and the valve body 107 into the control chamber 116. The valve stem means 118 is made up of two parts 120 and 122 joined together by a coupling 124. Part 122 has a curved face 126 which cooperates with a seat 128 to meter the flow of breathable fluid through the outlet port 112. Part 122 has a side projection 130 which slides in groove 132 in the valve body to prevent the curved face 126 from being rotated by knob 134 as part 120 is screwed into threads 137. Coupling 124 is designed to convert the rotary motion of part 120 into linear motion for part 122. Part 120 carries a drive gear 136 which transfers rotary motion of knob 134 to an idler gear 139 and 140 fixed to shaft 138. Gear 140 engages first gear 142, see FIG. 3, fixed to shaft 16 causing the second dial 28 to correspondingly rotate and present this new information on the readout panel 10. A second gear 144 fixed to the shaft 16 is connected by pin 146 to a clock spring 148 secured to sleeve 24. The clock spring 148 places a bias upon the sleeve 24 to maintain a taut relationship between the first and second dials 22 and 28.

The second gear 144 on shaft 16 engages drive gear 146 on differential shaft 148. The shaft is split at coupling 150 to permit and 152 to rotate while end 154 is stationary. Rotation of drive gear 146 causes gear 156 to rotate gear 158 which, in turn, rotates gear 160 retained on secondary driver gear 162. Since end 154 is stationary, gear 160 will walk around gear 164 causing the secondary driver gear 162 to rotate gear 166 attached to sleeve 16 to correspondingly rotate dial 22 with dial 28.

The cycle control means 106 includes a timing tank 168 attached to the housing 14 having a chamber 170 therein. The chamber 170 has an inlet port 172 connected by conduit 174 to a source of breathable fluid 176. The chamber 170 has an outlet port 178 connected by conduit 180 to a dump valve 182, a low pressure sensor 184, a high pressure sensor 186 and the I/E sensor 92. The size of chamber 170 is controlled by wall means 188 attached to threaded stem 190. Stem 190 extends through bearing wall 18 and readout panel 10 to permit control knob 192 to be placed on end 194. A driver gear 196 is secured to the stem 190 for transferring rotary motion to a first driven gear 198 attached to shaft 200. A second driven gear 202 engages an idler gear 204 retained on shaft 206. An arcuate sector 208 is pivotally retained on idler gear 204 by pivot pin 210. Arcuate sector 208 has a control pin 212 which rides on a cammed surface 214 on housing 14. The arcuate sector 208 has gear teeth 216 which engage a driven gear 218 fixed to shaft 206. A driver gear 220 engages gear 222 fixed to end 154 of shaft 148. Rotation of gear 222 correspondingly causes gear 164 to rotate gear 160 which, in turn, rotates gear 158. Since rotation of gear 156 is controlled by shaft 148 it will be unaffected by rotation of end 154 and as gear 158 is rotated, it will walk around gear 156 causing secondary driver gear 162 to rotate gear 166 to position dial 28 without movement in dial 22.

MODE OF OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT When an operator determines the cycle proportioning means 62 is rotated about shaft 16 by depressing detent 100 and sliding knob 98 in the fifth arcuate aperture 58 until the notch 60 adjacent the ratio designation is reached. The third reference point 103 and the fourth reference point 105 will also be simultaneously moved to register a change in the tidal volume displayed by logarithmic scale 36 and the minute volume displayed by logarithmic scale 40, respectively. Thus, the operator will immediately be aware of the changes in the inter-related parameter.

If it is determined that the flow rate need be increased, knob 134 is rotated counterclockwise causing valve stem 118 to move curved face 126 farther away from seat 128 to permit a greater volume of breathable fluid to flow from source 176 per time period. The rotation of knob 134 to increase the flow rate will immediately be registered in the readout panel since drive gear 136 is directly connected to gear 142 on shaft 16 by reduction gears 136 and 140. The rotation of shaft 16 by gear 142 will cause dial 28 to move approximately while differential gearing 224 will adjust the first dial 22. The flow rate will immediately be indicated by the relationship of the second reference point 52 and the logarithmic scale 52.

If it is further determined that the operating frequency needs to be increased, knob 192 is rotated counterclockwise causing chamber 170 to be engaged. Rotation of knob 192 moves driver gear 198 causing idler gear 204 to move on cam 214 and transmit a varying output rate to rotate gear 218 by segment 208. R0- tation of shaft 206 cause gear 220 to move gear 222 to engage differential gearing 224 and rotate sleeve 24 independently of shaft 16 to move the first dial 22 and reference pointer 32. The new frequency can easily be read through the first arcuate aperture which shows the relationship between the pointer 32 and logarithmic scale 42.

In this operating position the breathable fluid will flow from the source 176 to the control chamber 170 of the timing tank 168 through a restriction 228 and directly to the flow delivery valve 108. The pressure of the fluid in the conduit from the source 176 will be such that the flow through the restriction 228 will be constant and independent of the pressure in control chamber 170. Consequently, the pressure will increase at a constant rate within chamber 170 and the time for the pressure to reach a given control pressure level will depend only on the volume of the control chamber 170. The fluid flow through control chamber 170 is in communication with a dump valve 182, low pressure sensor 184, high pressure sensor 186 and the [IE sensor. The low pressure sensor 184, the high pressure sensor 186 and the [IE sensor are in turn connected to a pneumatic logic circuit which operates the delivery valve 108. The delivery valve 108 is either off or on depending upon the signal received from the logic circuit 94.

During the inspiration portion of the breathing cycle, the delivery valve 108 is opened and breathable fluid flows unobstructed through conduit 226 to the inlet 110 of the flow control valve 106. The delivery valve 108 will remain opened as long as a signal from the sensor 92 directs the circuit 94 to keep it open. After a period of time, the signal from the sensor 92 to the logic circuit 94 will terminate, indicating the expiration period is to begin and will direct the logic circuit to close the delivery valve 108. The pressure within the control chamber will continue to increase until the high pressure sensor directs the logic circuit to open the dump valve 182 permitting the pressure associated with the fluid flow to the control chamber 170 and conduit to be vented to the atmosphere. Sensor 92 will then direct the logic circuit 94 to open delivery valve 108 and begin the inspiratory period. When the pressure within the control chamber 170 and conduit 180 is atmospheric, the low pressure sensor 184 will direct the logic circuit to close the dump valve 182 and the pressure within the chamber 170 will begin to rise again.

As the above operational cycle is repeated, the operator has a complete indication immediately upon viewing the readout panel 10. To further aid in viewing the individual logarithmic scales 36, 40, 42 and 44 could be color coded to additionally distinguish the operational parameters of the volume ventilating unit. Thus, an operator after a certain period would mentally associate a certain parameter with a particular color and instantly react to the position of the reference pointers 103, 105, 34 and 52 to immediately determine the operating parameter of the volume ventilator 10.

We claim: 1. A volume ventilator fluid flow indicator apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a shaft retained in the housing having first and second ends extending through the housing; first dial means having a sleeve which surrounds said first end and extends into said housing, said first dial means having tidal volumetric designations thereon representing a set quantity of fluid dispensed during a cycle of operation, said first dial means having a first reference point thereon; second dial means associated with said first dial means and secured to said first end of the shaft, said second dial means having flow rate designations thereon, said second dial means having volumetric designations thereon representing a quantity of fluid dispensed during a set period of time, said second dial means having frequency designations overlying said first reference point; panel means connected to said housing and covering said first and second dial means, said panel means having a first aperture over said frequency designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a second reference point adjacent a second aperture over said flow rate designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a third aperture over said volumetric designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a fourth aperture over said tidal volumetric designations on said first dial means, said panel means having inspiration to expiration ratio designations thereon; cycle proportioning means for moving a reference pointer to indicate the operating inspiration to expiration ratio, said positioning member having a third reference point which extends over the volumetric time designations on the second dial means, said positioning member having a fourth reference point which extends over the tidal volumetric designations of the first dial means; flow control means connected to a source of breathable fluid for regulating the rate of breathable fluid supplied a recipient, said flow control means being connected to said shaft and said sleeve to correspondingly rotate said first and second dial, said flow rate designations with respect to said second reference point and said volumetric time designations with respect to said third reference point to visually indicate the operating frequency, flow rate and volume in the first, second and third aperture, respectively; and

cycle control means connected to said flow control means for regulating the operating frequency per unit of time of the breathable fluid flow supplied the recipient, said cycle control means being connected to said sleeve for rotating said first dial means relative to the second dial means to move said first reference point with respect to said frequency designations of the second dial means and said tidal volumetric designations with respect to said fourth reference to visualize the resulting frequency and tidal volume in the first and fourth apertures, respectively.

2. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 1,

wherein said flow control means includes:

first gear means for rotating said shaft in response to an operator selecting a desired flow rate for delivery to a recipient; and

first resilient means connected to said first gear means for biasing said sleeve to correspondingly rotate said first dial means.

3. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 2,

wherein said cycle control means includes:

second gear means for rotating said sleeve independently of said shaft to displace said first dial means with respect to said second dial means.

4. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 3,

wherein said second gear means includes:

cam means for generating a logarithmic output drive for rotating the first dial means.

5. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 4,

wherein said second gear means further includes:

a differential member connected to the first gear means for permitting said first and second dial means to rotate in response to an input from said flow control means and for preventing said second dial means from rotating in response to an input from said frequency control means.

6. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 2,

wherein said flow control means further includes:

valve means located in said housing having an inlet connected to said source of breathable fluid and an outlet in communication with said recipient;

first stern means retained in said valve means having a curved face located adjacent said outlet and an end extending through said panel means, said first stem means carrying first drive means which power said first gear means; and

first knob means located on the end of said stem means for manually moving the curved face on said stem means with respect to said outlet in the valve means to control the flow rate to the recipient.

7. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 6,

wherein said cycle control means includes:

tank means connected to said housing having an inlet port connected to said source of breathable fluid operated delivery valve in the breathable fluid sup- 6 second stem means connected to said wall means having an end extending through said panel means, said second stem carrying second drive cogs thereon; and

second knob means located on the end of said second stem means for manually rotating said second stem means to move said wall means in said tank means to selectively adjust the size of said chamber, said second drive means upon said second stern means being rotated powering said second gear means to correspondingly position said first dial means to visually indicate a change in size of the chamber in the tank means.

8. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 7,

wherein said cycle proportioning means includes:

second resilient means for maintaining said positioning member in an operator set location in said fifth aperture.

9. A fluid flow indicator apparatus comprising:

a housing;

axle means located in the housing;

first and second dial means having tidal volumetric designations, flow rate designations, volumetric per given time period designations and cycle per time period designations thereon for showing operational flow characteristics;

panel means secured to said housing and covering said first and second dial means, said flow rate designations, volumetric time designations, tidal volumetric designations and cycle designations being visible through respective portions of said panel means;

reference means associated with the designations on the first and second dial means visible through said respective portions of said panel means;

cycle proportioning means for setting an operating ratio of inhalation to exhalation, said cycle proportioning means having a visible register to give an operator an indication of said operating ratio;

flow control means connected to a source of breathable fluid for regularly supplying a recipient with a predetermined flow rate, said flow control means being connected to the first and second dial means to move the designations thereon with respect to said reference means to visually indicate said predetermined flow rate; and

cycle control means, interconnected to said cycle proportioning means and said flow control means, for regulating the frequency with which said breathable fluid is supplied the recipient, said cycle control means being connected to one of said first and second dial means to visually indicate the quantity of breathable fluid dispensed in one cycle.

10. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 9, wherein said flow control means includes:

a metering valve retained in a bore in said housing, said breathable fluid passing through said bore from said source to the recipient through an outlet, said pressure valve having a stem with a curved face on one end thereof and another end extending through said panel means, said curved face cooperating with the portion of the housing surrounding said outlet to regulate the fluid flow to said recipient;

first manual means connected to said stem for moving said curved face into a regulating position with said outlet; and

first gear means carried by said stem to be correspondingly moved by said first manual means for transferring a signal to said first and second dial means to indicate a change in the operative fluid flow.

11. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein said cycle control means includes:

diaphragm means retained in a cavity in the housing to form a control chamber, said control chamber having an inlet in communication with a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet in communication with a pneumatically operated on-off delivering valve upstream from said pressure valve;

second manual means connected by linkage means to said diaphragm means to selectively move and change the volumetric size of said control chamber causing an operational change in the response of the pneumatically operated delivering valve; and

second gear means controlled by said linkage means and connected to said first dial means for transferring a signal representative of the operational change to visually alert the operator of the corresponding change in the cycle control means.

12. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 11, wherein said volumetric per given time period designations represent the quantity of breathable fluid supply per minute determined by the inhalation to exhalation ratio associated with a selected predetermined flow rate.

13. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 12, wherein said tidal volumetric designations represent a set quantity of breathable fluid associated with flow rate, the frequency of the cycle control means and the inhalation to exhalation ratio.

14. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 12, wherein said parameter designations on said first and second dial means are non-linear for permitting a high resolution in low range of operation. 

1. A volume ventilator fluid flow indicator apparatus, comprising: a housing; a shaft retained in the housing having first and second ends extending through the housing; first dial means having a sleeve which surrounds said first end and extends into said housing, said first dial means having tidal volumetric designations thereon representing a set quantity of fluid dispensed during a cycle of operation, said first dial means having a first reference point thereon; second dial means associated with said first dial means and secured to said first end of the shaft, said second dial means having flow rate designations thereon, said second dial means having volumetric designations thereon representing a quantity of fluid dispensed during a set period of time, said second dial means having frequency designations overlying said first reference point; panel means connected to said housing and covering said first and second dial means, said panel means having a first aperture over said frequency designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a second reference point adjacent a second aperture over said flow rate designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a third aperture over said volumetric designations on said second dial means, said panel means having a fourth aperture over said tidal volumetric designations on said first dial means, said panel means having inspiration to expiration ratio designations thereon; cycle proportioning means for moving a reference pointer to indicate the operating inspiration to expiration ratio, said positioning member having a third reference point which extends over the volumetric time designations on the second dial means, Said positioning member having a fourth reference point which extends over the tidal volumetric designations of the first dial means; flow control means connected to a source of breathable fluid for regulating the rate of breathable fluid supplied a recipient, said flow control means being connected to said shaft and said sleeve to correspondingly rotate said first and second dial, said flow rate designations with respect to said second reference point and said volumetric time designations with respect to said third reference point to visually indicate the operating frequency, flow rate and volume in the first, second and third aperture, respectively; and cycle control means connected to said flow control means for regulating the operating frequency per unit of time of the breathable fluid flow supplied the recipient, said cycle control means being connected to said sleeve for rotating said first dial means relative to the second dial means to move said first reference point with respect to said frequency designations of the second dial means and said tidal volumetric designations with respect to said fourth reference to visualize the resulting frequency and tidal volume in the first and fourth apertures, respectively.
 2. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said flow control means includes: first gear means for rotating said shaft in response to an operator selecting a desired flow rate for delivery to a recipient; and first resilient means connected to said first gear means for biasing said sleeve to correspondingly rotate said first dial means.
 3. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said cycle control means includes: second gear means for rotating said sleeve independently of said shaft to displace said first dial means with respect to said second dial means.
 4. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said second gear means includes: cam means for generating a logarithmic output drive for rotating the first dial means.
 5. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said second gear means further includes: a differential member connected to the first gear means for permitting said first and second dial means to rotate in response to an input from said flow control means and for preventing said second dial means from rotating in response to an input from said frequency control means.
 6. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said flow control means further includes: valve means located in said housing having an inlet connected to said source of breathable fluid and an outlet in communication with said recipient; first stem means retained in said valve means having a curved face located adjacent said outlet and an end extending through said panel means, said first stem means carrying first drive means which power said first gear means; and first knob means located on the end of said stem means for manually moving the curved face on said stem means with respect to said outlet in the valve means to control the flow rate to the recipient.
 7. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein said cycle control means includes: tank means connected to said housing having an inlet port connected to said source of breathable fluid operated delivery valve in the breathable fluid supply conduits connected to said valve means; wall means located in said tank means for forming a chamber in said tank means; second stem means connected to said wall means having an end extending through said panel means, said second stem carrying second drive cogs thereon; and second knob means located on the end of said second stem means for manually rotating said second stem means to move said wall means in said tank means to selectively adjust the size of said chamber, said second drive means upon said second stem means being rotated powering said second gear means to correspondingly position said first dial means to visually inDicate a change in size of the chamber in the tank means.
 8. The indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein said cycle proportioning means includes: second resilient means for maintaining said positioning member in an operator set location in said fifth aperture.
 9. A fluid flow indicator apparatus comprising: a housing; axle means located in the housing; first and second dial means having tidal volumetric designations, flow rate designations, volumetric per given time period designations and cycle per time period designations thereon for showing operational flow characteristics; panel means secured to said housing and covering said first and second dial means, said flow rate designations, volumetric time designations, tidal volumetric designations and cycle designations being visible through respective portions of said panel means; reference means associated with the designations on the first and second dial means visible through said respective portions of said panel means; cycle proportioning means for setting an operating ratio of inhalation to exhalation, said cycle proportioning means having a visible register to give an operator an indication of said operating ratio; flow control means connected to a source of breathable fluid for regularly supplying a recipient with a predetermined flow rate, said flow control means being connected to the first and second dial means to move the designations thereon with respect to said reference means to visually indicate said predetermined flow rate; and cycle control means, interconnected to said cycle proportioning means and said flow control means, for regulating the frequency with which said breathable fluid is supplied the recipient, said cycle control means being connected to one of said first and second dial means to visually indicate the quantity of breathable fluid dispensed in one cycle.
 10. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 9, wherein said flow control means includes: a metering valve retained in a bore in said housing, said breathable fluid passing through said bore from said source to the recipient through an outlet, said pressure valve having a stem with a curved face on one end thereof and another end extending through said panel means, said curved face cooperating with the portion of the housing surrounding said outlet to regulate the fluid flow to said recipient; first manual means connected to said stem for moving said curved face into a regulating position with said outlet; and first gear means carried by said stem to be correspondingly moved by said first manual means for transferring a signal to said first and second dial means to indicate a change in the operative fluid flow.
 11. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein said cycle control means includes: diaphragm means retained in a cavity in the housing to form a control chamber, said control chamber having an inlet in communication with a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet in communication with a pneumatically operated on-off delivering valve upstream from said pressure valve; second manual means connected by linkage means to said diaphragm means to selectively move and change the volumetric size of said control chamber causing an operational change in the response of the pneumatically operated delivering valve; and second gear means controlled by said linkage means and connected to said first dial means for transferring a signal representative of the operational change to visually alert the operator of the corresponding change in the cycle control means.
 12. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 11, wherein said volumetric per given time period designations represent the quantity of breathable fluid supply per minute determined by the inhalation to exhalation ratio associated with a selected predetermined flow rate.
 13. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 12, wherein said tidal volumetric designations represent a set quantity of breathable fluid associated with flow rate, the frequency of the cycle control means and the inhalation to exhalation ratio.
 14. The fluid flow indicator apparatus, as recited in claim 12, wherein said parameter designations on said first and second dial means are non-linear for permitting a high resolution in low range of operation. 